It’s hard to believe, but up until now, the only time we’ve posted on this blog about Halloween, it had to do with insurance policies that protect against zombie and vampire bites and alien abduction. Yeah, they actually do exist. I mean those policies, not zombies, vampires and aliens.
Although….
But let’s not start that again.
This year, we’d like to talk to you on a more practical, real-world level. Do you know what the scariest thing about Halloween is? Insufficient insurance coverage. Sincerely.
We talk a lot about having coverage during “the Holidays” (Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah, and certainly New Year’s Eve). But as disorderly as “the Holidays” can get, all manner of mischief and mishap go down on Halloween too.
First there is fire damage.
Malfunctioning decorations, indoors as well as up on the rooftops are a major Halloween hazard. Halloween candles have always had a little more personality than their Yuletide counterparts. As such, candles, and lighting of various types really have long been an integral element of Halloween decor. Most people these days use electric lights rather than candles, but you know how it is when you are decorating and getting quite festive about it. You over do it. But when you over do it, you push your outlets and your power strips to their limit. This is where electrical fires come in. Don’t do that.
Then there’s vandalism.
There tend to be a lot of break-ins around “the Holidays” with the promise of all of those maybe-expensive gifts under the trees and all. But it is not a time that is infamous for outright vandalism. As for Halloween, though, the term “trick-or-treat” refers to the old tradition of going around and demanding “treats” which, if not readily handed over, would result in a “trick” being played on the withholder of said treats. It is ingrained in the tradition itself. Nowadays, these “tricks” are often carried out without even first asking for the “treat.” Toilet-papering is generally harmless, if annoying to clean up. But eggings are a different story. Raw egg, dried over-night can cause a great deal of damage to vehicle paint, or the siding/roofing of your home. Thankfully we’re living in the age of doorbell cams, so vandals are much less likely to be so bold as on Halloweens gone by. But they are still out there, and not everyone is equipped with the tech to catch them in the act. Perhaps it is time to talk with a trusted neighbor or initiate a neighborhood watch.
Maybe you’re planning a Halloween party.
Parties, any time of year, can open the doors to any number of liability issues on and around your property. Damaged or stolen items, bodily injury, fire, etc. It all comes down to knowing and trusting who you let into your home for an occasion where you’ll likely be distracted by various goings and doings, all while keeping the revelry to a level that is safe for all participants. Keeping fire extinguishers readily at hand and in working order is very important. Because you can’t control everything. And maybe don’t try to. Not everything. It’s a party, after all.
As always, now is a good time to reach out to your local Horihan Insurance agent to be sure your homeowner’s insurance is a sufficient buffer against the rampant hooliganism and all else that may ensue on and around the 31st of October. While you’re at it – what the heck, time flies – make sure you’ve got your plans for “the Holidays” in mind if you want to make any upgrades to your coverage.